Perhaps it was not the Revenue but the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I may have got it wrong but I thought I heard something about the possibility of a clawback if the pandemic unemployment payment was greater than what someone was earning by working part-time. Perhaps the Minister might clarify that or I may ask the Minister, Regina Doherty. I may have got the wrong end of the stick. I hope I have because it would be an unexplored mine if I have not.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle; I am finally getting up to speak. I thank the Minister. I was pleased to hear the responses of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, earlier today when he talked about adjusting the temporary wage subsidy for women who returned from maternity leave in March or April. That is a very important step and I am glad that while we still do not know the detail, the Minister is taking it. I asked the Minister further about the extension of maternity leave. I know that is not his bailiwick - …

I thank the Minister. I also want to bring to the Minister's attention the issue of victims of domestic violence about which we have spoken previously in the Chamber. I thank her for her good and ongoing work with Safe Ireland on streamlining the referral process. That is very important. It has been very useful, and I know the Minister's Department is liaising with Safe Ireland on an ongoing basis. That is the first part of it. The second part is the fact that the emergency rent supplement is means tested. We are a…

I thank the Minister. This is all about flexibility. I am not sure what stage the Minister's negotiations are at, but if she tells me she is willing to show that flexibility and find solutions for people who are in different but awful situations, I am happy to take her at her word. My last point is more of a comment, since I still have two minutes left, about some issues that were raised by my colleague, Deputy O'Donoghue, a few moments ago. The Minister responded about the €6 billion in loans that are being given …

So good they named us twice.

I raise the same issue as Deputy Mattie McGrath. Perhaps there will not be quite the same level of fire in the belly, as it were, but it is just as heartfelt. I raised the matter with the Minister last week and about three weeks ago with the Taoiseach. At the time the contract was put in place with the private hospitals, it was the right thing to do. In fact, it was the only thing to do. Circumstances have changed, however, and while we know we could be hit with a second or third wave, we have nonetheless put struc…

Like many other Deputies, I want to pay tribute to the really good and important work of people in the local authorities and their commitment to their local communities, which has been outstanding in many cases. One of the advantages of being the final speaker is that one has the opportunity to hear what is said during the debate, some of which I have been listening to in my office. I raise the issue of the rates waiver. Three months was a good start but, as the Minister of State knows, some businesses will not be …

What about the local authorities?

The Minister spoke about the national broadband plan, which will be crucial to helping ensure balanced regional development. He stated he will examine the feasibility of accelerating the roll-out of high-speed broadband. In that context, will the Minister consider including in his criteria the chronic underfunding of investment in various sectors throughout the regions, whether that be roads, education, health or whatever? I ask that the Government use that information as part of its criteria for the study. The rol…

What of the timing?

I wish to ask about two issues, the first of which I raised with the Taoiseach previously, that of victims of domestic violence accessing the emergency rent supplement. The Taoiseach stated that he would look into the matter. In response to me yesterday, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Ms Doherty, told me that she was looking at amending the referral pathways. That is important and good, but it addresses only 50% of the problem. A part of the criteria for accessing this rent supplement is…

The Taoiseach said that rent supplement is means-tested but he knows as well as I do that much of the domestic abuse is around financial abuse. Many of those who are abused are not in a position financially to pay rent. A solution needs to be found and I ask the Taoiseach to work to try to find one.

I thank the Minister for coming in to answer our questions. I was listening earlier when he spoke of the HSE plans for non-Covid treatment. He said such treatment had to be safe and clinically effective but did not say it had to be timely. The Minister also said there would be a plan within two weeks but unless intervention is timely, it is not effective. I am not being political about this. I was about to say it is only the Minister and I in the Chamber but there are still only a few of us here. I am really concer…

Yes we can.

I wish to comment briefly on the issue of those returning from maternity leave and their exclusion from the temporary wage subsidy scheme. The Minister has said he will try to find a solution and I welcome that. I have just two comments to make. First, this needs to be done very quickly as many women find themselves in that position right now. Second, the Minister indicated that he might not be in favour of extending maternity leave. I know it is a complicated issue but will he, in conjunction with his relevant min…

I appreciate that and I know my constituent will as well. My other question relates to another vulnerable group. I know of people whose properties have been sold to vulture funds. The Minister knows this story. Right now, public auctions are being planned to sell distressed properties. For example, one is advertised for this day week and another for early in June. Now, we are only creeping into phase 1 of the lifting of the restrictions that are in place. Are there any protections for these people? Is it possible f…

The cancellation of the healthcare workers childcare scheme is regrettable, not least because it is hugely inconvenient for the healthcare workers themselves. I have spoken to many providers about this and I get a sense that there has been a certain erosion of trust between the providers and the Department. The issue is consultation. People told me that a 17 page document arrived, it was a fait accompli and they just did not know what to do. There is real concern within the sector. One of the issues that arose is t…

Yes.

I asked about the pods and whether, if we are going to move to that model, it would reduce the number of children that could be cared for.

I thank the Minister for her presence. I also thank her, her officials and all the relevant staff throughout the country for working unstintingly and showing great commitment to ensuring that people get their payments. Nothing is perfect, but from what I have seen, this has been first class. I have not been in the Chamber because, in asking questions of a number of Ministers, I have been conscious of time. However, I have been listening to everything and am aware of the Minister's responses. When speaking about vic…